DEFIANT Graeme Souness has vowed never to quit Newcastle United because he holds a burning desire to enjoy a successful end to his managerial career.

The frank-talking Scot insists that whatever happens at the Magpies, whether it be today or in ten years, he intends to walk away from football management when his time at St James' Park comes to an end.

Many believe that if Newcastle fail to claim maximum points against the Villans, chairman Freddy Shepherd will replace Souness in a bid to lift spirits and bring Champions League action back to Tyneside.

But Souness, refusing to talk up the importance of today's Premiership fixture after the midweek Carling Cup humiliation at Wigan, insists he is in no mood to quit his role and is prepared to take the flak that goes with poor form at Newcastle.

The calls for his sacking from the 5,000-strong Geordie faithful at the JJB Stadium could increase tenfold if his players do not put on a show of togetherness and ability this afternoon.

And Souness, who claims to understand the fans' growing frustration, remains as focused on turning things around as he was when he took over the reins from Sir Bobby Robson in September last year.

"This is not an impossible job and as a manager this will be my last job," said Souness. "I couldn't answer whether Saturday will be my last game at this club. I do understand I'm getting criticism, that's the price on the ticket. But bad performances have happened before and will happen again.

"I will never quit. That can never happen and there's a number of reasons why it can never happen. The single biggest reason is because long after football I will have to look at myself in the mirror when I'm shaving, brushing my hair, or what's left of it. It can never happen, so it's a waste of time talking about it.

"It was nice to hear that Michael Owen has backed me but there's been no ultimatum laid at my door."

Wednesday's defeat at Wigan has been met with widespread calls for Shepherd to come down hard on the manager in charge of team affairs.

Normally an exit from the Carling Cup has passed by unnoticed at Gallowgate - they have only made the quarter-finals of the competition five times since its inception.

But that defeat was the latest to have been suffered by Newcastle in an already depressing campaign, which has seen them slowly climb up the table after initially propping up the rest of the Premiership.

They have now lost their last three matches in all competitions, a run that has been deemed not good enough, particularly given that they have now lost six of their opening 14 league games this season.

Souness, who has worked in some of the most fanatical football cities in the world, realises there are very few clubs where the demands for success are so high, regardless of the 36 years without any major silverware.

"I think there's been an over-reaction right across the board," said the former Rangers boss, recalling the years he had dealing with the pressures of Old Firm rivalry north of the border.

"I'm an experienced manager, I've worked in several places and I think the only place you can compare Newcastle to is Glasgow. It's more intense than Liverpool and probably the same as Glasgow Rangers.

"I'm sure I must have lost a few games on the trot at Rangers but I can't remember being in a comparable situation to this one.

"I'm not complaining about getting stick. The media contribute to the reason, there has to be another reason why this club hasn't won anything for nearly 40 years.

"I accepted that I would get criticism when I signed the contract. My take on it is that at this club, along with maybe one or two others, you're only two games away from the situation I find myself in. It's a unique place and all that's not a surprise."

One of the major reasons for Newcastle's imperfections this season has been that Souness has never had a full-strength squad to choose from.

When Villa, themselves only five points above a relegation spot, arrive in the North-East today there will still be a long line of first-team players ruled out for one reason or another. As well as £16m man Owen, Turkish midfielder Emre is facing more time on the sidelines with another hamstring strain and is unlikely to be back to face Arsenal next week either. Celestine Babayaro, Kieron Dyer, Steven Taylor and Craig Moore are also all still missing.

Souness said: "I understand the fans' frustrations about results but it's a medical situation why we can't get our strongest side on the pitch. We've been unlucky, I'm not using it as an excuse, it's a reason.

"We've had 16 hamstring injuries since the start of November and another with Emre; that's not an excuse, it's a fact. Michael's not fit, I certainly hope he'll be back next week."

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